St Leonards Calamari - 21/8/2022

[Andrews]

Hey everyone,

Sharing this report from a quick flick in the morning chasing some calamari.
We've had a rough run with constant N winds and this session was super dry, didn't see anything else caught.
Pier has hardly any ink on it.

Fished:
9:30 - 11.00am
Clear skies, full sun / light cloud
Clear water, minimal weed
Run in / slack / run out tides
N wind pushing 23km

Started flicking the Yamashita EGI OH LIVE SEARCH in 048 natural pilchard / holofoil size #2.5 into the wind focusing the edge of a weedy bottom and the sandy drop offs. The wind pushed the jig into the pier and the tide moved it across the weed beds.

Managed only two squid, both stalked the jig and struck on the pause over weed beds.

I'm over winter, keen for the spring EGI.

[denis barden]

Kool
I got 7 off the Red Stick this mornin

[Lightningx]

At least you got a couple mate.
The gear looks great!
Cheers

[Sebb]

Looks like the water clarity inproved. I went there Sat morning, was a bit murky.

[fisho999]

what kilo line were you using?

[Andrews]

Solid effort there Denis, we've been struggling to get them at the pier.

Thanks Lightningx, it was just nice getting out after having such cold weather!

Thanks Sebb, yeah the water was crystal clear but started getting murky again from the N winds. It's been tough down here for them the past month so any squid is a solid result haha.

Great questions Fisho999, I'm running 16lb #0.8pe saltiga braid with 15lb fluro.

[purple5ive]

Does St leonards pier produce the big squid like qlcf does? Or are they all similar sized like in the pic?

[Seniorfisho]

i love that set up you have, I want one and I don't even fish for squid anymore

[Andrews]

@Purple5ive, great questions! From experience, I would say the average size of calamari caught at St Leonards are smaller than the larger hoods you'd find at Queenscliff. That said, generally it's around this time of year (late winter /spring) that those larger hoods start migrating from the heads into Port Phillip and can be caught at St Leonards. 'Jigging for Science' was a report by Vic Fisheries which tracked the calamari movement during breeding seasons, great read!
https://vfa.vic.gov.au/science-in-fishe ... hillip-bay

Last year we struggled to get many of the bigger hoods, they just never really showed up and right now, the squid have been slow. The hope is that once a warmer spring hits (predicted) they'll become more active.

@Seniorfisho, cheers mate! The gear was a bit of an investment, but I think when I'm chasing squid 2-3 times a week during the warmer months, I'd rather spend a little more and have something that'll last the wear and tear. I really dig this setup, I find it super light and sensitive enough to feel anything from some seaweed drifting across the line, to a tiny calamari hesitantly striking the jig.